i. 81.

[276] _Ibid._ x. 226.

[277] _Works_, x. 260. It is doubtful whether the letter was sent.

[278] The Panopticon story is confusedly told in Bowring's life. The
_Panopticon Correspondence_, in the eleventh volume, gives fragments
from a 'history of the war between Jeremy Bentham and George III.,'
written by Bentham in 1830-31, and selections from a voluminous
correspondence.

[279] _Works_, x. 301.

[280] _Ibid._ xi. 167.

[281] The plan, according to Bentham (_Works_, xi. 102), was suggested
by Ruggles, author of the work upon the poor-laws, first printed in
Young's _Annals_.

[282] _Works_, viii. 440.

[283] _Works_, xi. 102-3.

[284] _Ibid._ x. 400.

[285] _Works_, xi. 144.

[286] For its later history see _Memorials of Millbank_, by Arthur
Griffiths. 2 vols., 1875.

[287] _Works_, xi. 106.

[288] _Ibid._ x. 294.

[289] Wilberforce's _Life_, ii. 71.

[290] _Works_, x. 541.

IV. THE UTILITARIAN PROPAGANDA

Bentham in 1802 had reached the respectable age of fifty-four. He had
published his first work twenty-six years, and his most elaborate
treatise thirteen years, previously. He had been brought into contact
with many of the eminent politicians and philanthropists of the day.
Lansdowne had been a friendly patron: his advice had been treated with
respect by Pitt, Dundas, and even by Blackstone; he was on friendly
terms with Colquhoun, Sir F. Eden, Arthur Young, Wilberforce, and others
interested in philanthropic movements, and his name at least was known
to some French politicians. But his reputation was still obscure; and
his connections did not develop into intimacies. He lived as a recluse
and avoided society. His introduction to great people at Bowood had
apparently rather increased than softened his shyness. The little circle
of intimates, Romilly and Wilson and his own brother, must have
satisfied his needs for social intercourse. It required an elaborate
negotiation to bring about a meeting between him and Dr. Parr, the great
Whig prophet, although they had been previously acquainted, and Parr
was, as Romilly said by way of introduction, a profound admirer and
universal panegyrist.[291] He refused to be introduced by Parr to Fox,
because he had 'nothing particular to say' to the statesman, and
considered that to be 'always a sufficient reason for declining
acquaintance.'[292]

But, at last, Bentham's fame was to take a start. Bentham, I said, had
long before found himself. Dum